FURTHER to Mr Short's letter, I feel I must respond.

I wrote to Mr Short about the introduction of the Swindon Card and the changes made at the Link Centre in May. Unfortunately as yet he has not found time to reply.

Mr Short states that the Swindon Card was introduced to provide a consistent approach to charging for Swindon services and to promote social inclusion. My recent experiences show that this has not happened for all.

The Swindon Card was introduced at the same time as price increases at the ice rink.

Although an annual price increase is expected, an annual increase at the same time as the introduction of a card that costs £15 and a shortening of the session times is not.

The current organisation at the Rink is certainly not socially inclusive for those in full time employment as the Level 4+ courses now take place at 10.30am on a Wednesday morning when it is impossible for us to take part.

They do run the courses on a Saturday morning at 8am but again is not convenient for most people who have homes to run and only weekends free.

So, although I agree that the disadvantaged and most in need should have access to the services available within our town, surely social inclusion encompasses everyone even those of us who only have evenings available to enjoy them.

I have enjoyed taking part in courses at the Rink for a number of years and congratulate them on the standard of their coaching staff but unfortunately this service is no longer available to a number of people who previously took part in them.

D HEPPLE

Greenmeadow

Swindon